During this four month period you can work full time provided you have finished your course, including handing in all outstanding course work and dissertations. You are subject to the usual student employment restrictions, so you cannot be self-employed, or a professional sports person or entertainer, and you cannot take a permanent vacancy.

You should apply using the online Tier 4 Print and Send application form. You must apply in the UK. Applications outside the UK will not be accepted. You must show evidence of £1600 for maintenance. This must be held in a bank account in your name (or in the name of a parent or guardian) for at least 28 days. The bank statement must be no more than one calendar month old on the date you post your application. You will continue to be sponsored by the University, and must meet certain 'contact points'. If you required an ATAS certificate for your course, you will be expected to produce one for the Doctorate Scheme as well.

• You must find an employer willing to offer you a job and 'sponsor' you. The employer must be licensed to the UKBA.
• You must be offered a job which pays at least £20,300 per year
• You must have a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD degree, or have completed the first year of a PhD. Postgraduate diplomas (unless a PGCE or PGDE teaching qualification) will not be accepted.

This visa is aimed at students who have completed their degree and wish to set up a business in the UK.

To be eligible, the University must sponsor (endorse) you, by providing an endorsement letter and monitor your progress. You must also have £900 in your bank account, which has been available for at least 90 days.

You must apply within 3 months of the date of the endorsement letter but please be aware that institutions can only endorse a maximum of 10 Graduate Entrepreneurs per year.

This visa route is aimed at postgraduates who require work experience but is limited to organisations offering these schemes.